I know a man who migrated to Australia in the 1970's. He never stops going on and on about his old country and how it is the best place in the world but he has lived here longer than he lived there. He married an Australian woman and his kids were all born here. He still celebrates all the holidays of his former country even though they mean nothing here. He gets really angry if anyone says anything even a little bit negative about his old country and he says negative things about Australia sometimes. Do you think this is ok - to come to another country and still love the country he left? Should people totally reject their old country and culture when they migrate to another?
2007-08-11 01:13:09 · 13 answers · asked by cutsie_dread 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
This man is a very dear friend of mine and he is from Michigan. We have many vigorous discussions mainly about politics and we are still very good friends! He gets two father's days (because we have a different date than the US), he celebrates Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July to the enth degree and he goes crazy on Halloween (which isn't all that big over here).
I was just interested to to see answers about how people would deal with this especially when they didn't know where he was from.
My father was from England but he was Australian in everything except the cricket. He always supported England in the International Cricket and that got a lot of people angry with him. He always said that Australia was the best country in the world - and he had been everywhere (almost) before he got here. But I think there were many things he missed about his home country. And when he knew he was going to die I think he would have liked to see his country one last time.
2007-08-11 02:48:15 · update #1
Of course it is alright.
People should always remember their roots and where they come from. As long as he respects Australias laws and beliefs and doesn't try to impose his culture on others he is more than welcome.
He can come and live next door to me anyday.
Thats what makes Australia great.
,
2007-08-11 01:24:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Huh? Did you spot the present conservative concepts-set coming? i'm speaking with regard to the style between a republican two decades in the past, as in George Bush Sr., and a republican now, as in George Jr. in some unspecified time sooner or later conservatism became synonymous with the religious precise. Liberals have continually been there, that's what the 60's and 70's have been approximately. bear in concepts Abbie Hoffman or the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago? What do you call that?
2016-10-10 00:02:45 · answer #2 · answered by doelling 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a bit disrepectful if he's insulting Australia (although if it's done during sports it's okay *grins*). If he likes it so much over there why doesn't he go back? Even for a visit. I'm sure that a lot of has changed and since he was there in the 70's. I think he's just remembering the good times in his former country and not the bad. He's forgotten all the reasons why he came over as well.
2007-08-11 01:22:18 · answer #3 · answered by Acyla 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Going on and on endlessly about the utopian homeland versus the hellish wasteland that is Australia is annoying and uncalled for. Celebrating holidays, getting upset at negative comments directed at one's country of origin, and missing and loving the country one came from are a different story and completely acceptable, even normal. While this man should make an effort not to make negative comments about Australia (unless they're constructively critical, in which case he should make that clear), it sounds to me like he's a completely normal immigrant. Have you ever lived abroad? Ever really, really missed things about your home country that you just couldn't find in the new country? Ever been hurt by people in the new country saying bad things about your home country? This is exactly how this man is feeling. I agree that he should have adjusted by now, but maybe some things just don't adjust. Anyway, have you considered the possibility that he came to Australia to escape a nasty political system, violence, human rights violations in his country of origin? If he immigrated to Australia not because of some deep love affair with Australia but to escape something nasty and brutish in his beloved homeland, then it makes sense that he would act this way. It doesn't really make it acceptable for him to endlessly go on and on about it in front of whoever happens to be there, and it doesn't make it acceptable for him to make negative and/or hurtful and/or insulting comments about Australia, but this possibility is something you might want to keep in mind as you listen to this man talk. Also, try putting yourself in his shoes and see if you can understand where he's coming from a little bit.
2007-08-11 01:46:12 · answer #4 · answered by M W 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
"Do you think this is ok - to come to another country and still love the country he left?"
Yes, some people move for money, some people move because they got in trouble with some people, and some people move for some other reasons. If he adds to your tax base, then don't care what he thinks.
"Should people totally reject their old country and culture when they migrate to another?"
No, being a 4'th generation US citizen I am pissed that my roots to my homeland have been lost. People should be able to have a connection to their past and home lands.
2007-08-11 02:09:07 · answer #5 · answered by The law is a form of tyranny. 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Get a nice flagpole, something at least 3-4 cm. in diameter. Wrap the Austrailian flag around it, and then cave his stinking head in with it. I bet he's a stinking greek, right?
That ingrate should be taught a lesson. When you immigrate to another country, and that great nation (Austrailia) is gracious enough to welcome you in, you make that place your home, and swear by it. You do whatever you have to do to protect her honor. Not complain about it, and talk smack about it, and how good it is where you came from. It's ok to miss where you came from, but when you go foreward in life, you don't look back.
My advice to you: Thrash him.
2007-08-11 02:47:36 · answer #6 · answered by mikosin357 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like he is taking things a bit far. My husband is formerly from Europe and doesn't even try to compare the US with Hungary. Two different worlds so you have to be two different people.
Maybe he should go home to his old country for a visit and get it out of his system.
2007-08-11 02:04:21 · answer #7 · answered by Marilyn T 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I would say to him: "If you think your old country is so great, why don't you move back? What are you doing here anyway?"
i don't think it's wrong to miss or even love the country of one's birth & your ancestry, but on the other hand, it is wrong to say negative things about the country one has adopted. It's like biting the hand that feeds you. You can love both & not be a traitor to either.
2007-08-11 01:20:02 · answer #8 · answered by mstrywmn 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Put him in his place! This is YOUR COUNTRY he is taking about. Or, you could just sit there and let him shame it. Your option.
If it's so great there, then why in the hell are you here!
That's my answer every time I hear it here in the states and trust me, we hear it everyday. If this country is so damn bad, please pack your **** and get the hell out.
I get a kick out of the Mexicans on Cinco De Mayo when they wave the Mexican flag hollering "viva Mexico" but choose to abandon this "great" country for the U.S. To me they are disgracing their own country with such nonsense.
If I was that loyal to a country, I would stay and fight for it, so that it would be a “great” place to live.
2007-08-11 02:05:49 · answer #9 · answered by old hippie 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I knew a guy in the USA who was from Belgium and was the same way.... any little thing he could nitpick about ... oh those aren't belgian waffles they are much better in my country... oh the museums and art are much better in belgium...
oh the beer in Belgium is so much better ( actually I agreed on this one ;P )
2007-08-11 01:25:42 · answer #10 · answered by sociald 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋